[Cervical infection epidemiology of human papillomavirus in Ushuaia, Argentina]. / Epidemiología de la infección cervical por virus papiloma humano en Ushuaia, Argentina.

Genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is decisive in the causation of cervical cancer. In order to evaluate the epidemiology of HPV infection in Ushuaia, Province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, 132 endocervical cytobrushes from preneoplastic and neoplastic cases and controls were studied. Detection and typing of the viral genome was performed by polymerase chain reaction, combined with a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay or hybridization. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 41% in the population examined, with a frequency of 26% in the controls and 71% in the cases under study. The 14-24 age group showed the highest HPV prevalence. The most common viral types in the infected population were HPV 16 (23%), HPV 18 (11%), HPV 33 (8%) and HPV 35 (8%), while high risk viral types were detected in 30% of the samples, 16% of the controls and 60% of the cases. This study provides the first data on the predominant viral types in Ushuaia. Our results show lower levels of infection than in regions with a high incidence of cervical cancer, HPV 16 being the most prevalent viral type. This research may be useful for selecting a specific vaccine targeting the population examined.

Epidemiología de la infección cervical por virus Papiloma humano en Ushuaia: Argentina / Cervical infection epidemiology of human papillomavirus in Ushuaia: Argentina

El virus Papiloma humano (HPV) es un factor necesario para el desarrollo del cáncer cervical. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la epidemiología de dicha infección en Ushuaia, Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio de caso-control de 132 cepillados endocervicales. La detección y tipificación del genoma viral fue realizada por la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, con posterior análisis de polimorfismos de fragmentos de restricción o hibridación. La prevalencia general de la infección fue 41%, correspondiendo 26% a los controles y 71% a los casos. El grupo etario con mayor prevalencia de HPV fue el de 14 a 24 años. Los tipos virales más frecuentes en la población infectada fueron HPV16 (23%), HPV18 (11%) y HPV33/35 (8% cada uno), resultando infectados con tipos virales de alto riesgo el 30% de las muestras, 16% de los controles y 60% de los casos. El trabajo aporta los primeros datos sobre los tipos virales predominantes en Ushuaia. Los resultados demostraron una prevalencia menor que en regiones con alta incidencia de cáncer cervical, siendo el HPV16 el más frecuente. La información obtenida permitiría estimar la efectividad de las vacunas en vías de aprobación, en la población estudiada.

Genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is decisive in the causation of cervical cancer. In order to evaluate the epidemiology of HPV infection in Ushuaia, Province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, 132 endocervical cytobrushes from preneoplastic and neoplastic cases and controls were studied. Detection and typing of the viral genome was performed by polymerase chain reaction, combined with a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay or hybridization. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 41% in the population examined, with a frequency of 26% in the controls and 71% in the cases under study. The 14-24 age group showed the highest HPV prevalence. The most common viral types in the infected population were HPV 16 (23%), HPV 18 (11%), HPV 33 (8%) and HPV 35 (8%), while high risk viral types were detected in 30% of the samples, 16% of the controls and 60% of the cases. This study provides the first data on the predominant viral types in Ushuaia. Our results show lower levels of infection than in regions with a high incidence of cervical cancer, HPV 16 being the most prevalent viral type. This research may be useful for selecting a specific vaccine targeting the population examined.

[Seroprevalence of Chagas disease in Ushuaia, Argentina, an area without Triatominae]. / Seroprevalencia de la enfermedad de Chagas en Ushuaia, Argentina, una zona sin triatominos.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Ushuaia, Argentina, which is the southernmost city in the world. METHODS: Serum samples were analyzed from 2,991 people, obtained between January 1995 and December 1996. The samples were processed using indirect hemagglutination and either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The general seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection was 6.8%. According to the residents' country of origin, prevalence was 41.1% among Bolivians, 5.0% among Argentines, and 0.9% among Chileans. The prevalence found in pregnant women was 5.9%; in compulsory examinations (such as for a job or for immigrants settling permanently in Argentina), it was 6.3%; and in examinations done based on clinical or epidemiological reasons to suspect infection with Chagas' disease, it was 30.8%. CONCLUSIONS: There is an alarming level of T. cruzi infection in this region, where the insect vector does not even exist. Given the risk of transmission congenitally and from blood transfusions, controls must be maintained on donated blood. In addition, follow-up of children of infected women should be strengthened so that these children receive early diagnosis and timely treatment of the infection.